Fire Officials Burn Mock Dorm Room to Demonstrate Safety Procedures

UAlbany students receive a first-hand lesson in fire prevention during September's National Campus Fire Safety Month

 

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 13, 2010) -- UAlbany will hold its second annual Fire Safety Demonstration on Wednesday.

What:
An 8 X 12 wood-frame mock residence hall room complete with furniture and fixtures will be burned to demonstrate fire safety procedures and tips. The room will contain commonly found hazards and demonstrate the possible effects of unsafe behaviors.

Where:
Academic Podium, Main Campus, between the Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences buildings

Who:
George M. Philip, President, University at Albany
Gregory Amyot, Fire Protection Technician, UAlbany Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Robert Forezzi, Chief, Albany Fire Department
Paul Martin, Chief, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

When:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 1 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., information tables will be staffed by the UAlbany Fire Prevention unit, the Office of Off-Campus Affairs, and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Background:
The University at Albany Office of Environmental Health and Safety provides fire prevention training on a regular basis for faculty, staff and students. The use of a mock dorm room is a particularly effective tool to raise awareness of campus fire safety problems.

From 2003 to 2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, and barracks. These fires caused an annual average of seven civilian deaths, 54 civilian fire injuries, and $29.4 million in direct property damage.

Cooking equipment was involved in 75 percent of reported dormitory fires, including confined or contained fires. Structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks are more common from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., as well as on weekends.

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